With all of the rumors and backlash in the skateboarding Olympics, skateboarding legend, entrepreneur, and musician Tony Alva had mixed feelings watching core skateboarders compete in the mainstream media.
The 63-year-old Transworld Skateboarding magazine's eighth of the "30 Most Influential skateboarders" of all time posted on his official Instagram account what Tony Hawk quoted "They Need Us More Than We Need Them."
"Watching the Olympics with mixed feelings. So many people are asking us (Alva) how we feel about skateboarding in the Olympics." Alva wrote.
"Tony has been interviewed quite a bit on the subject. His most cited quote is, "they need us more than we need them." Read it twice. Let it sink in. Please believe this is coming from a man that turned down an Olympic Coke commercial because he doesn't like the effect soda has on kids." Alva explained.
He added. "Who else of his caliber would do that? I'll wait….
We love the skaters. Mimi Knoop once skated for the Alva women's team, and today she is an Olympic coach. Yeah, Mimi! Cool for sure, but that doesn't change the fact that IOC is an exploitative organization that has wreaked havoc on poor people worldwide."
"And now, in a less critical but still relevant manner, they will attempt to exploit the ethos of skateboarding for skate credibility, cash, and a grab at the youth market." Alva continued. "I'm in a unique position to watch this moment with the skateboarding's spark. It's hard to imagine what it's like for Tony. He's too busy being graceful. He's given everything to skateboarding. The love of his life. Love to our friends on team US Skateboarding."
The Z-boys pioneer also said. "This is not a call to negativity but a reminder to us at Alva and hopefully skaters everywhere to value skate culture's core values of freedom of expression and independence. It’s also a reminder for us to align with organizations, corporations, and media outlets that are here for more than a money grab."